What Social Security My Account is and how to set it up

Social Security My Account is a free online account you create directly on the Social Security Administration website. It lets you view your earnings record, check your benefit estimate, and manage certain account details without calling or visiting an office. You create the account yourself — Social Security does not send you a link or invite you to sign up.

To create an account, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an account". You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a password. Social Security will ask you security questions based on your credit history to verify your identity. If you cannot answer those questions, you can verify yourself in person at a local Social Security office instead.

Once your account is active, you can log in anytime to view your information. The account works on desktop and mobile browsers. Social Security does not have an official app — if you see one in an app store claiming to be Social Security, it is not run by the government.

Key Takeaways

  • You create My Account yourself at ssa.gov/myaccount using your Social Security number, email, and a password.
  • The account shows your earnings record, estimated benefits at different ages, and your current benefit payment amount if you are already receiving.
  • You can change your address, phone number, and email in My Account, but you cannot change your name or explore for benefits through it.
  • Social Security will never ask you to create or log into My Account through email or text — always go directly to ssa.gov.
  • If you cannot verify your identity online, you can prove who you are in person at a local Social Security office instead.

What information you can see in My Account

Your earnings record shows every year you worked and how much you earned, as reported to Social Security by your employers. This record determines how much your future benefit will be. You should review it every few years to catch errors — if an employer reported your earnings wrong, you can ask Social Security to correct it, but you must do so within a time limit.

Your benefit estimate shows what you could receive at different ages: at your full retirement age (which depends on your birth year), at 62 (the earliest age), or at 70 (the latest age). The estimate assumes you keep working until that age and that your earnings stay similar. The actual amount you receive will depend on when you actually claim and what you earned in the years between now and then.

If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, My Account shows your current monthly payment amount, your payment history for the last 12 months, and the date your next payment arrives. You can also see if you have any outstanding debts to Social Security, such as an overpayment that needs to be repaid.

What you can and cannot change in My Account

You can update your mailing address, phone number, and email address directly in My Account. These changes take effect when ready. You can also set up or change your direct deposit information so your benefits go to a different bank account.

You cannot change your name, Social Security number, or date of birth through My Account. If any of those need to be corrected, you must contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213, by mail, or in person at a local office. You also cannot explore for benefits, report a death, or request a replacement Social Security card through My Account — those require a separate process.

How to protect your My Account from fraud

Your My Account login is the same as your Social Security number and personal information — if someone gains access, they could see your earnings record and benefit details. Use a password that is unique to this account and that you do not use anywhere else. Enable two-factor authentication if Social Security offers it, which adds a second verification step when you log in from a new device.

Social Security will never send you an email or text asking you to log into My Account or verify your information. If you receive a message claiming to be from Social Security with a link, do not click it — go directly to ssa.gov instead. Scammers often impersonate Social Security in emails and texts to steal login credentials.

If you think someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password when ready and contact Social Security by phone. You can also place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to make it harder for someone to open accounts in your name.

When to use My Account versus other ways to contact Social Security

My Account is fastest for checking your earnings record, viewing your benefit estimate, and updating your address or phone number. If you need to do those things, log in and handle it yourself — you do not need to call or visit an office.

You will need to contact Social Security another way if you want to explore for benefits, report a death, request a replacement card, correct your name or date of birth, or dispute an earnings record. You can reach Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time), by mail to your local office, or in person. Wait times on the phone are usually shorter early in the week and early in the day.

Troubleshooting common My Account problems

If you forget your password, select "Forgot password?" on the login page and Social Security will send a reset link to your email. If you cannot receive emails or do not remember which email you used, you will need to verify your identity in person at a local Social Security office to regain access.

If you cannot answer the security questions during account creation, Social Security cannot verify you online. You can instead go to a local Social Security office with a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card, tax return, or W-2) to verify in person. The office will help you create your account or reset your password.

If you see information in My Account that looks wrong — such as earnings you do not recognize or a benefit amount that seems too low — do not assume it is an error. Contact Social Security to ask about it. If your earnings record is missing a year or shows the wrong amount, you can request a correction, but you must act within a specific time frame.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is My Account the same as explore for benefits?

No. My Account lets you view information and estimates, but you cannot actually claim benefits through it. To claim, you must contact Social Security by phone, mail, or in person. You can use your benefit estimate from My Account to help decide when to claim, but the actual claim is a separate step.

Can I see my spouse's or child's benefits in My Account?

No. Each person has their own My Account login. If you are a representative payee (meaning you manage benefits for someone else), you may be able to see their information through a separate process, but you would contact Social Security directly to set that up, not through My Account.

What if I do not have an email address?

You need an email address to create My Account. If you do not have one, you can create a free email account through Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider. Once you have an email, you can set up My Account. If you cannot use email, you can still contact Social Security by phone or in person.

How often should I check my earnings record?

Social Security recommends checking your earnings record every few years, especially if you have changed jobs or had a name change. Errors are rare but can lower your benefit. If you find a mistake, contact Social Security right away — you have a limited time to request a correction.

Can I use My Account on my phone?

Yes. My Account works on any web browser on a phone, tablet, or computer. There is no official Social Security app — if you see one in an app store, it is not run by Social Security. Always use the website ssa.gov/myaccount to stay safe.